Coach Hodges and his Bruins varsity boys basketball team hosted the now 3-3 Douglas Trojans just two weeks ago, in what turned out to be a last second 1 point Bruin thriller win.
The Bruins dropped back into a man to man defense disguised as 2-3 zone, and used their guards to to attack the paint and force the Trojans to stop them physically. Josh Serna led the way for the Bruin offense, scoring 11 points in including going 2 for 2 from the freethrow line. Jake Beaman #1 and Jaren Fronckowiak #4 both had 4 points as the Bruins established a 12 point 19-7 lead.
However, the Trojans were determined to get the home win, blocking lanes to the basket and forcing the Bruins to dump the ball into center Brad Russell #55, whom they forced off the block on his shot, and fouled, sending him to the line three times in the quarter, and holding the Bruins offense to just 8 points in the period. Four Douglas players combined for 16 points for the Trojans, sending both teams to the locker room at the half, tied at 24.
In the third period, the Bruins and Trojans traded baskets, with the Bruins getting hot early in the period, led by Brad Russell #55 with 8 points in the paint, Jaren Fronckowiak #4 with 5 points including a 3 pointer, and Jake Beaman combining for 14 points, and extending to a 46-41 lead after Brad Russell hit a 3 pointer as the period expired.
The Bruins continued to feed Russell in the paint, while Beaman, Fronckowiak, Harms and Serna continued to drive to the basket and get to the line. The Trojans sent the Bruins to the line 11 times in the final period, going 8 for 11 with clutch free throws late to seal the 4 point 60-56 Bruin win.
The Bruins will be home Friday night for a 5:30 tip-off against the Sutherlin Bulldogs.
